Chapter 130: The second New Year of the Showa era~

Maple Nagayama sent Naoki out the door. "Cousin Naoki, come visit me often in the future~"

"Okay, I'll treat you to a drink when I have time, Maple Cousin~"

After exchanging such pleasantries, he opened the door of the sports car parked nearby.

"Please stay where you are~"

Only after getting into the car did Naoki Nagayama finally breathe a sigh of relief. He started the car and slowly drove toward his old home.

Maple Nagayama waited until the car was completely out of sight before returning to the main house.

Hayato Nagayama in the Japanese-style room was resting with his eyes closed. He opened them after hearing the movement:

"Maple, what do you think of your cousin?"

Maple Nagayama didn't rush to answer. He thought for a moment about his cousin's performance.

"He is a very talented young man."

"Oh? Talented?"

"On our first meeting, he was polite and measured, and in his conversation with Grandfather, he was also at ease." Maple Nagayama paused and continued, "His ability to make money is also very strong. The fact that he said he didn't need support earlier probably wasn't just him trying to be tough."

Hayato Nagayama was curious: "Why do you say that?"

"He drives a high-end convertible sports car, a very stylish one..."

There was envy in Maple Nagayama's tone. Even as the grandson of a Yamaguchi-gumi executive, he couldn't afford such an expensive car. The dividends he received were either used to win over underlings with food and drink, or scattered to make friends, leaving very little each month.

Hayato Nagayama's level could afford it, but at his age, he preferred more dignified cars, not as flashy as young people.

"Is that so? Hahaha, it looks like the Nagayama family has indeed produced someone different." Hayato Nagayama smiled, then said to his grandson, "Maple, don't disturb them! You are people walking on different paths!"

"Hai!"

Back home, Naoki Nagayama was immediately questioned by his mother and Tsuruko.

"What does Grandfather look like?"

"... Tsuruko, there are photos in Father's drawer..." Naoki Nagayama was speechless. Their parents had clearly introduced them using photo albums when they were little.

"What's that? Of course I know!" Tsuruko stubbornly insisted. "I want to know what changes there are now!"

"His hair is a bit whiter, and he has a few more wrinkles." What other changes could there be? People just get old.

"Hmph, not that!"

"Tsuruko, you want to know if Grandfather is very fierce and scary, right?"

"Mm-hmm!" Tsuruko's head nodded up and down rapidly.

Naoki Nagayama was helpless: "From my own feeling, he was quite amiable. Although Maple Cousin on the side was very serious and didn't even speak."

Their mother, Nanako, asked: "Did you deliver the gifts?"

"Hai, he accepted them."

"That's good. It's been many years since we've met, and only greeting him over the phone was indeed a bit rude."

Tsuruko had another question: "Did Nii-chan see a large group of underlings collectively bowing and saying 'Boss' or something?"

"It wasn't a gang gathering, so how could there be so many people..." Naoki Nagayama recalled. "The organization's personnel should usually be gathered in other places."

Their eldest uncle, Kumahara Nagayama, who they never saw, should be with the underlings.

"Eh, then isn't he no different from an ordinary old man?"

"The courtyard he lives in is quite antique, with the style of a wealthy landlord from the past."

"Is that so~"

Their mother, Nanako, said: "After all, it's an organization that has been passed down for several generations. That large mansion was indeed built by nobles in Shimizu in the past."

"Ha~ As expected, it has history~"

Chatting away, the three of them started talking about the preparations for skiing in Hokkaido. Since the hotel, venue, and such had all been booked by Naoki Nagayama, their mother and Tsuruko started planning what to bring.

Thick clothes were a must, followed by changes of clothes, toiletries, common medicines, and so on—in this era, everything had to be prepared.

Just like Naoki Nagayama's self-driving trip in the summer, where he only brought money... actually, that was also possible...

For dinner that day, their father and older brother returned, which was rare.

"Three days before the New Year, we're closing early. The sign is already up." Their older brother said. "Let's prepare for the New Year in the next few days."

Then he and their father looked at Naoki Nagayama: "Naoki, did you see Grandfather today?"

Why ask again...

Naoki Nagayama had no choice but to explain the process of meeting his grandfather that afternoon once more.

With their father and older brother back, the time before the New Year passed even faster.

Taking advantage of having all the strong labor around, they repaired the old house from top to bottom—leaking tiles, aging wooden boards, and such were all replaced with new ones, and then they cleaned it inside and out.

The courtyard was also cleared out, and now it looked like land that had just been turned over by an old farmer.

Pine decorations, symbolizing good fortune, were placed at the door, and sacred straw ropes to ward off evil were hung on the door. Tsuruko had long since placed strange and cute little ornaments in the house.

The last day of the New Year arrived in such an atmosphere.

This year, there was no need to make cold food for three days, so their father and mother also seemed very relaxed.

In the evening, the whole family huddled in the living room waiting to watch this year's Kohaku Uta Gassen.

"Ah, New Year's gifts. It should be fine at this time." Naoki Nagayama said. "Tsuruko, I'm going to get the gifts. You hurry up and prepare yours too!"

After saying that, he went upstairs and returned to his room.

When Naoki came downstairs, Tsuruko and his older brother were already sitting there. It looked like the gifts had been in the living room all along.

"First is Father. This is a teacup and a draining tea tray for Father."

Naoki Nagayama took out a gift box, and his father accepted it happily.

"This is Big Brother's three-piece set~"

Aoki saw the exquisite fishing three-piece set and said happily: "Now I can complete the set~"

Then Naoki Nagayama took out two small boxes: "This is Mother's, and this is Tsuruko's~"

"Ah, it's a necklace!" Tsuruko opened it and saw the exquisite silver necklace, and couldn't wait to put it on.

Then she saw her mother's necklace. "Okaa-san, let me put it on for you~"

The gold necklace was very luxurious, making her mother say repeatedly: "This is too extravagant..."

Seeing that everyone was very satisfied with their gifts, Naoki Nagayama cleared his throat at Tsuruko, meaning it was her turn.

Tsuruko, as a student, naturally couldn't buy any expensive gifts. She had woven a complex colored silk bracelet for everyone in the family.

"This bracelet can ward off evil!" Tsuruko said confidently. "I specifically went to the temple to pray for the stone that wards off evil!"

Their older brother had made a seashell wind chime. The collection and polishing of the colorful seashells showed that he had put in the effort.

Although the gifts weren't expensive, the sentiment was there.

Their mother had knitted a scarf for each of the children, which would be perfect for when they went skiing.

And their father was the simplest—he gave each of his children a "Toshidama," which was the Japanese New Year's money, filled with brand-new bills.

After everyone exchanged gifts, they sat down to watch TV again.

Their father actually started using the gift Naoki Nagayama gave him, performing a tea ceremony for everyone. It looked quite professional...

After the lively Kohaku Uta Gassen,

The New Year's bell arrived as scheduled.

One hundred and eight tolls, bidding farewell to worries and congratulating the new life.

This was the second New Year Naoki Nagayama had spent in the Showa era~ ===== CHAPTER 131 =====